Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The problems raised due to rapid climate change are complex challenges with various underlying concerns. One of these concerns is the momentary solutions adapted in intensive factory farming, which have led to losses in nature’s finite resources. It is increasingly clear that farming practices, including conventional dairy farming, are unsustainable and contribute to ecosystem degradation and biodiversity depletion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the use of holistic grazing methods to improve sustainability and animal welfare while finding ethical solutions for small-scale dairy farmers in Sweden. The methods employed in this investigation consisted of a combination between a literature review and interviews with farmers who had already applied ho-listic planned grazing (HPG). HPG involves cows rotating through multiple paddocks to imitate natural grazing patterns, thereby potentially enhancing soil health and biodiversity. However, chal-lenges such as restricted land assets and workload remain. The existing literature on this subject requires more empirical research, as the data on dairy farming and HPG combined is largely non-existent. Nonetheless, the results from the Moo-Carousel indicated that adopting holistic strategies in small-scale dairy farming in Sweden would not pose significant problems, as evidenced by graz-ing management. This study provides a new, circular approach to small-scale dairy farming, that can help increase sustainability in a dwindling world.